Well, I use MM acrylics specifically, but this question applies to any paint-jars. When you pour it, whether your mixing in a different container or just using it by itself, some always spills over the lip, and Its not the mess I hate, its the expensive paint being wasted every time I want a little bit to mix with something else. So how do you do it? Do you use funnels? Or do I just have really, really poor control of my hands and manage to screw up even the simplest of tasks?[:D]
Same thing happens to me. They are not very pour-friendly bottles! Since I don’t mix alot at one time, I use an eyedropper to put the paint in a mixing cup. Works pretty good. Then, just ‘suck up’ some water behind it a couple of times to clean it.
Andy
I dito Wulf. I use glass syringes and works pretty well.
Try this, as you’re tilting the bottle of paint, place a rod (stryene, brass, glass, metal, toothpick, etc) against the lower lip of the bottle and pointing into the receiving container. The paint will flow down the rod and into the container. There might be a little paint left on the lip of the jar after pouring, but just wipe it off with a rag.
-Jesse
That’s what I do.
I use plastic syringes, the type you get from the pharmacy for giving medicine to kids.
Very clean, and they are graduated, so that you can measure accurately.
Karl
Hey, thanks! Sometimes its the smallest things that give you the most trouble! great tips, thanks.
I never thought of using these items. Guess that is something to add to my modeling tool kit. I have two eye droppers to dispense thinner and alcohol.
At present for transfering paint, I am using plastic straws. Cut in half gives me two. I have also found that being the type of plastic, the paint can be wiped off fairly easily.
John
^— I use usmc1371’s trick. It is known as “decanting” liquid.
(note the glass rod)
source: http://orgchem.colorado.edu
The only drawback is that you can have significant paint loss
fromm all the material that sticks to the rod. That’s why I follow
up the paint decant with a thinner decant. Usually you need to
add thinner anyway, and it sends the paint on the rod into the cup.
Cheers.
Yessiree, the old science class trick. It works best with glass rods, but not everyone has glass rods available. The smoother the rod the better, also a material the paint has a hard time sticking to helps save more paint if you don’t use a thinner chaser. Personally, I stir with the rod I use to pour, as well. Eye droppers and the like are nice for measuring, so it depends on what you are looking to accomplish. Both of these methods keep messes to a minimum, but nothing is fool proof. I can be a clutz sometimes.
If you use plastic syringes, occasionally lubricating the rubber plunger tip with air brush lubricant will keep is sliding freely. Air brush lubricant is silicone based, and essentially insoluble in most common solvents.